Inclusive Education in Guinea-Bissau | Aicha and the joy of inclusion
Ten-year-old Aicha lives in Guinea-Bissau. She is energetic, fearless, and always on the move; running, playing, climbing as though life has no barriers. While at school, she's the life of the playground at recess.
So it’s hard to believe that only two years ago, Aicha wasn’t attending school at all. Difficulties with her vision and sensitive skin as a result of albinism meant that her parents felt it was best for her to stay at home. She interacted mainly with her family and lacked the confidence to make friends. That is, until she met Humanity & Inclusion.
Our team runs a project across West African countries to ensure that children like Aicha can attend school and build relationships with other children. We provide support to schools and teachers so that they can adapt their facilities and teaching methods, as well as help families to see the benefits of educating their children with disabilities.
Thanks to these interventions, Aicha is now completing her second year of primary school and is thriving. She loves math and learning to write, but most of all she loves to sing and to play!
Humanity & Inclusion ensures that 70,000 vulnerable children and children with disabilities can access their right to an education.
The inspiring image of Aicha and her friends was awarded first prize in the IDDC (International Disability and Development Consortium) photo contest and will be exhibited in Brussels from the 12th of February as part of European Disability and Development Week, 2018.
Guinea-Bissau
In Guinea-Bissau, Humanity & Inclusion continues to run programs under the operating name "Handicap International."
Humanity & Inclusion in Guinea-Bissau
Humanity & Inclusion has been working in Guinea-Bissau since 2000. HI suspended its operations in the country from 2008 - 2014, due to the political unrest and security risks. Work resumed in 2015.
In a country marked by political turmoil, Humanity & Inclusion strives to ensure that children with disabilities have access to education.
Areas of Intervention
- Inclusive Education
Humanity & Inclusion's 4-person team works to ensure access to education for children with disabilities at national level. Staff are working to improve accessibility of cafeterias and dining halls accessibility and to raise awareness about disability. Humanity & Inclusion works in the regions of Bissau, Cacheu, Oio, Bafatá and Biombo.
Our Past Work
Humanity & Inclusion has been in Guinea-Bissau since 2006, promoting a culture of dignity, access, and inclusion for ALL people with disabilities and who are vulnerable. Over time, we have evolved our work to meet the dynamic needs of the communities where we serve.
Read on to learn more about our past work in Guinea-Bissau, and consider investing in our future.
The first activities coordinated by Humanity & inclusion focused on functional rehabilitation, the economic inclusion of people with disabilities and the campaign against mines and explosive remnants of war. From 2015, we resumed our activities in Guinea-Bissau: providing support to civil society, making education more inclusive for children with disabilities and raising awareness about HIV and disability.